eTwinning UK

eTwinning workshop in Bonn, Germany

The 25^th to 27^th of April this year saw the opportunity for eTwinners from all over Europe to gather in Bonn for a professional development workshop (PDW).  21 countries had representations and delegates were asked to pose for a photograph, which was then posted on a map of Europe in the main foyer – in a new variation on ice-breaking, delegates were given someone else’s name badge, the idea being that you would find the person whose name badge you were given, using their Polaroid photo as a reference.  The event kicked off with champagne and gummy bears, then a networking dinner in the hotel restaurant. 

The following day saw speeches from our own Ann Gilleran, who was joined by the Mayor of Bonn and followed by the keynote speaker Professor Dr. Nicola Wurffel from the University of Heidelberg

.  The group then split into smaller workshops for the rest of the weekend, covering topics such as podcasting, Twinspace (beginners and advanced), video and intercultural dialogue.  All of the workshops were interesting, but I particularly enjoyed Waltraud Ziegler’s A-Z of eTwinning, a very innovative approach to the art of eTwinning and delivered with a great sense of humour! 

All-in-all it was a very informative and fun weekend – we were lucky to have the best spring sunshine for a walk through central Bonn between workshops.  Saturday evening was spent eating and salsa-dancing in a Schloss overlooking the Rhine. 

Thanks to the German eTwinning team for putting together such an enjoyable and worthwhile programme of events!

To find out more and get links to the workshop presentations please click the following link

http://www.etwinning.de/veranstaltungen/workshops/pdw2008.php

New eTwinning 'Intercultural Dialogue' Project Kits

As 2008 marks the Year of Intercultural Dialogue in Europe, two new eTwinning project kits have been developed for schools to run projects on this featured topic.

Based on the kits, we would like to invite all eTwinning schools participate in one way or another, either as a full eTwinning project or as an activity or module within an existing project. The topic of intercultural dialogue is a great opportunity for pupils and teachers to share their experiences, cultural backgrounds and traditions as well as to discuss the importance and impact of this in our everyday lives.

The official website of the Year of Intercultural Dialogue also features a lot of great information, ideas and competitions that can be easily incorporated into eTwinning project work. Have a look!

Collective Cultures

To celebrate the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the British Council is running two competitions under the theme of Collective Cultures to find out about young people's experiences of other countries and cultures and developing relationships with people from different societies and backgrounds.

Download CollectiveCultures.pdf

We are welcoming entries to a poster competition and a poetry competition, from primary, secondary, special and sixth form pupils and further and higher education students and young people (including young people in non-formal learning environmentes) that participate in the Comenius, eTwinning, Erasmus or Youth in Action programmes.

Prizes for winners include a new Archos 405 Portable Media Player and winning entries will feature in a special publication to be produced later in 2008.

The attached leaflet gives more information on how to enter the poetry and/or the poster competitions. The closing date for entries is Monday 2 June 2008. Entries must be submitted in paper form, by post, accompanied by the relevant entry forms, to the competition address as specified on the attached leaflet. The leaflet includes details of full competition terms and conditions.

ETWINNING UK NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2008

The 3rd annual eTwinning Conference will take place at the National College for School Leadership conference centre in Nottinghamfrom 13th-15th June 2008.

Our Aim

- To develop the eTwinning Ambassador network in the UK

- To award excellent UK eTwinning projects (UK eTwinning Awards ceremony)

Our Objectives

- Explore how eTwinning relates to the UK curricula

- Provide hands-on training in relevant ICT tools for eTwinning Ambassadors

- Explore and develop the role of the eTwinning Ambassador in the UK

- Explore links between eTwinning and the wider Comenius programme

Invitations for the conference will be emailed directly to eTwinning Ambassadors. More information to follow on our website.

UK ETWINNING NATIONAL AWARDS 2008

The annual UK eTwinning Awards are given to excellent eTwinning projects who have received the eTwinning Quality Label. To be eligible for consideration, projects must:

• Be registered on the eTwinning portal
• Have started in the 2007-08 school year
• Have applied for the eTwinning Quality Label by Friday 23rd May 2008

Find out more about the UK National Awards

Read more about how you can apply for the eTwinning Quality Label